U of M ranks on national list of "best value" colleges

(USA TODAY) -In tough economic times, more families have a tougher time sending their kids to the colleges of their dreams. To help, USA Today released a study Tuesday morning of the country's "best value" colleges.

The colleges are broken down into two categories; private and public. Toping the list for private colleges is Swarthmore College. The University of Virginia took the number one spot on the public list. Only one Michigan college made it onto either list; the University of Michigan ranks as number nine for public institutions.

"A best value college is saying it's an academically strong college, but it doesn't cost as much as you may think," explained USA Today Reporter Mary Beth Marklein in our interview.

"Michigan gave out larger than average grant aids to freshmen, so there does seem to be money there, you just need to know how to find it ... when you factor in the financial aid from federal and state, it ends up getting the net price lower, and that's what families need to be looking at."